Bøker av Harriet Steel

When Nuala's premier race meeting ends in controversy and a tragic death, Inspector Shanti de Silva and his wife Jane must turn their minds to unravelling a new mystery. With evidence elusive and a hostile British establishment to deal with, it looks like it won't be easy to uncover the truth, but when did long odds ever deter Shanti and Jane? Set in the 1930s and 40s on the exotic island of Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, in the twilight years of the British Empire, the Inspector de Silva mysteries offer an entertaining and intriguing read spiced with humour and a colourful cast of characters.

Inspector de Silva is caught up in the excitement when a professional theatre company comes to Nuala but matters take a dark turn when the company's actor manager is murdered. Our inspector has a new case to solve and he must consider some very unpalatable motives for the crime. He will need all his persistence, coupled with his wife, Jane's, invaluable help to unmask the villain of the piece.Set on the exotic island of Ceylon in the 1930s, The Inspector de Silva Mysteries provide a colourful and relaxing read spiced with humour and an engaging cast of characters. What Amazon reviewers say about this series: A Breath of Fresh Air>Loving this super series">Must read police procedural set in pre-war Sri Lanka/Ceylon>Layers upon Layers"I don't remember how, exactly, I came upon the Nuala books, but just an hour ago I finished a binge read of all four of them. I love a well-written mystery, and these don't disappoint with their frequent literary allusions, interesting characters, and realistic sets of interpersonal challenges and conflicts.... There's always a new thread to be pulled, and all kinds of insights and events result from each pulling. These are absorbing stories, and I hope there will be more of them." Julie M. Drew

In this fourth instalment of the Inspector de Silva mysteries, it is monsoon season in the Hill Country. One stormy night, a ghostly encounter on a lonely road leads de Silva into a case of murder, and a mystery that stretches back to Ceylon's distant past. To uncover the truth, he will have to face death and his inner demons. Fatal Finds in Nuala is another absorbing and colourful mystery in this series that vividly portrays Sri Lanka's Colonial past. What Amazon reviewers say about the series: A Breath of Fresh Air>Dazzled by Nuala!>Loving this super series>Layers upon Layers"I don't remember how, exactly, I came upon the Nuala books, but just an hour ago I finished a binge read of all four of them. I love a well-written mystery, and these don't disappoint with their frequent literary allusions, interesting characters, and realistic sets of interpersonal challenges and conflicts.... There's always a new thread to be pulled, and all kinds of insights and events result from each pulling. These are absorbing stories, and I hope there will be more of them." Julie M. Drew

Inspector de Silva and Jane embark on a cruise to Egypt to visit the pyramids, excited at the prospect of two weeks of sun, sea and relaxation. With Nuala, and de Silva's duties as a police officer, far behind them, what can possibly spoil their plans? Then a writer is found dead in his cabin, suffocated by newspaper thrust down his throat. Once again, de Silva must swing into action.The Inspector de Silva Mysteriesis a colourful and absorbing series, spiced with humour. Set in Ceylon in the 1930s, it will appeal to fans of traditional and cozy mysteries. What readers say about this series: Pure Enjoyment"Pure enjoyment to read the unfolding of mysteries with happy outcomes set in exotic Ceylon. The good-hearted Shanti is assisted by his capable wife Jane. Together they bring harmony and humour to East meets West. As refreshing as a cup of light Ceylon tea!" >A Breath of Fresh Air"What a delightful change of pace. I really liked the characters and the location. It took place during a gentler time without all the cruelty and violence that defines far too much of the books we see being published now. There is more than enough violence surrounding us today without having our escape to the land of books filled with it." >Wonderful reads."I have now read the first two books in this series and have enjoyed them immensely. They are easy to read, and yet plot-wise, keep you captivated until the end. The 1930s Ceylonese setting, and its characters are a delight. Highly recommended." >"A delightful read - can't wait to devour the next one!" >Must read police procedural set in pre-war Sri Lanka/Ceylon"I started reading this series after a quick trip to Sri Lanka. Now I am hooked and read them as fast as they come out. Even if you have never been to Sri Lanka these books evoke an interesting period in history and the low-tech state of forensics in the 1930's. The clash of cultures is interesting as well. I can't say enough good things about this series." >Layers upon Layers"I don't remember how, exactly, I came upon the Nuala books, but just an hour ago I finished a binge read of all four of them. I love a well-written mystery, and these don't disappoint with their frequent literary allusions, interesting characters, and realistic sets of interpersonal challenges and conflicts.... There's always a new thread to be pulled, and all kinds of insights and events result from each pulling. These are absorbing stories, and I hope there will be more of them." Julie M. Drew

The year is 1586. Tom Goodluck, lawyer's clerk and aspiring playwright, is forced to leave his home for London when an enemy threatens to expose his affair with the wife of a wealthy merchant. At first his future in the exciting world of the Elizabethan theatre looks bright, but his past comes back to haunt him, threatening to destroy everything he has achieved. His mentor and friend, Alexandre Lamotte, offers help, but Lamotte has his own dark secrets to hide. Tom's lover, Meg, also sets out on a path that will test her mettle to the limit. Meanwhile, plagued by suspicion and fear and with the Royal Treasury almost exhausted, England holds her breath. When will Philip of Spain launch the Armada?Recommended by the Historical Novel Society as "An exciting romp through the hurly-burly of Elizabethan England, when plots and counter plots were the order of the day and where hidden danger lurked around every corner", Salvation will keep you gripped until the very last page.

Meet Inspector Shanti de Silva, the new chief of police in Nuala, a sleepy town in the beautiful tea country of colonial Ceylon. He moved from the big city in search of a quiet life, but now that he's faced with the suspicious death of an arrogant plantation owner, it looks like Nuala won't be as peaceful as he'd hoped. He's going to need all his experience to unravel the mystery and prove his worth to his new British boss.>"I can imagine sitting out on the veranda sipping iced tea in the sweltering heat but with a constant reminder of the wilder side of Ceylon just over the other side of the high garden fence. Just stunning!" Books from Dusk till Dawn "Clever plotting, sharply defined characters and luscious description make this a hugely enjoyable read. I look forward to volume 2". Ros Carne Author of The Pupil and The Stepmother

In the second book in this popular and charming series, set in the 1930s amidst the rolling green hills of colonial Ceylon, Inspector de Silva's back with a new case to solve when the arrival in the hill town of Nuala of the heir to an English earldom leads to a mysterious death. Throw in a mega-rich Romanian count, his glamorous countess, and an enigmatic British army officer and the scene is set for another intriguing mystery.If you love entertaining and absorbing mysteries, spiced with colourful characters and a dash of humour, don't miss The Inspector de Silva Mysteries. Treat yourself to a copy of Dark Clouds over Nuala today.